Johnson has another 80-yarder

Johnson has another 80-yarder

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson made history during Week 7 of the NFL’s 2012 season. Johnson exploded for an 83-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of the Titans’ win over the Buffalo Bills to become the first player in NFL history with four 80-yard touchdown runs in a career. Two weeks later he added to the mark with an 80-yard touchdown run versus the Chicago Bears. Then, he further added to his record with a Titans’ record 94-yard run against the New York Jets in Week 15.

Johnson and just six other runners have had at least three touchdown runs of 80 or more yards in their career. Not surprisingly, three in that group – Hugh McElhenny, O.J. Simpson and Barry Sanders - are Hall of Famers. Here is a closer look at the 80-yard TD runs. Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles joined the group with a pair of 80-yard runs during the month of December 2012.

Photo right: The shoes worn by Chris Johnson on his record-setting day on Oct. 21, 2012 were sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by the Tennessee Titans.

CHRIS JOHNSON, TENNESSEE TITANS

91-yard TD run on Sept. 20, 2009Opponent: Houston TexansLocation: LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.Game Result: Texans 34, Titans 31Details: The Titans had tied the scored just before halftime and then took the lead on their second possession of the third quarter when Johnson scurried up the middle for a 91-yard TD run to give the Titans a 31-24 lead. It was his third touchdown of the Week 2 game as he opened the day’s scoring with a 57-yard run and also added a 69-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.Final Stat Line: 16 carries, 197 yards, 12.3 average, 2 TDs

89-yard TD run on Nov. 1, 2009Opponent: Jacksonville JaguarsLocation: LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.Game Result: Titans 30, Jaguars 13Details: Johnson closed out the day’s scoring with an 80-yard run early in the fourth quarter. It marked his second rushing touchdown of the game as he scored the game-winning touchdown on a 52-yard run four minutes into the second half. The Jaguars two TDs came on long runs (80, 79) by Maurice Jones-Drew.Final Stat Line: 24 carries, 228 yards, 9.5 average, 2 TDs

85-yard TD run on Nov. 29, 2009Opponent: Arizona CardinalsLocation: LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.Game Result: Titans 20, Cardinals 17Details: Johnson broke through with his long run in the latter part of the third quarter to open a 10-point lead for the Titans in a tightly contested battle in Week 12. The big lead didn’t last long as the Cardinals’ LaRod Stephens-Howling returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The Titans won on the game’s last play when quarterback Vince Young hooked up with Kenny Britt on a 10-yard TD pass with no time left on the clock.Final Stat Line: 18 carries, 154 yards, 8.6 average, 1 TD

83-yard TD run on Oct. 21, 2012Opponent: Buffalo BillsLocation: Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.Game Result: Titans 35, Bills 34Details: Johnson’s run came with just under three minutes to play in the first quarter of the Week 7 matchup. The TD run was Johnson’s second of the quarter (the other covered 16 yards) and put his team ahead 14-7 after the extra point.Final Stat Line: 18 carries, 195 yards, 10.8 average, 2 TDs

80-yard TD run on Nov. 4, 2012Opponent: Chicago BearsLocation: LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.Game Result: Bears 51, Titans 20Details: Johnson’s 80-yard TD run closed out the scoring during a disappointing outing by the Titans and provided one of few highlights in a 51-20 home loss to the Bears. Johnson’s score came with 10:09 left in the game.Final Stat Line: 16 carries, 141 yards, 8.8 average, 1 TD

94-yard TD run on Dec. 17, 2012Opponent: New York JetsLocation: LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.Game Result: Titans 14, Jets 10Details: Johnson’s 94-yard TD run was the longest in Titans’ franchise history and the longest run in the NFL since 2006. His scoring play came midway through the second quarter to put Tennessee in front 7-3 during this Monday Night Football matchup in Week 15.Final Stat Line: 21 carries, 122 yards, 5.8 average, 1 TD

JAMAAL CHARLES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

91-yard TD run on Sept. 23, 2012Opponent: New Orleans SaintsLocation: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.Game Result: Chiefs 27, Saints 24Details: Charles’ 91-yard touchdown run was the longest in Kansas City Chiefs history. Shortly after the Chiefs fell behind 24-6, Charles found his way into the end zone untouched during the third quarter with 5:18 left. Following his TD, KC scored 14 unanswered points to defeat the New Orleans Saints during overtime.Final Stat Line: 33 carries, 233 yards, 7.1 average, 1 TD

80-yard TD run on Dec. 9, 2012Opponent: Cleveland BrownsLocation: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OhioGame Result: Browns 30, Chiefs 7Details: It took only one play from scrimmage into the start of the game for Charles to find his stride. On the Chiefs opening possession, Jamaal hit the hole and broke off an 80-yard run for the team’s only score.Final Stat Line: 18 carries, 165 yards, 9.2 average, 1 TD

86-yard TD run on Dec. 23, 2012Opponent: Indianapolis ColtsLocation: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.Game Result: Colts 20, Chiefs 13Details: Charles’ touchdown helped the Kanas City Chiefs rally after falling behind during the first half. At the beginning of the third quarter with 14:40 left, he found room on the outside and carried the ball 86 yards from the line of scrimmage to bring his team within three points. The Chiefs tied the game 13-13, but lost late in the fourth quarter despite Charles' effort.Final Stat Line: 22 carries, 226 yards, 10.3 average, 1 TD

ADRIAN PETERSON, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

80-yard TD run on Sept. 26, 2010Opponent: Detroit LionsLocation: Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.Game Result: Vikings 24, Lions 10Details: Peterson’s 6-yard TD run with just under five minutes to play in the first half gave the Vikings a 14-7 lead, one which they didn’t relinquish. He put the final touches on the victory with a brilliant 80-yarder with 3:01 remaining in the third quarter. On the play, he slipped through a tight hole, delivered a stiff arm, and was off to the races. Final Stat Line: 23 carries, 160 yards, 7.0 average, 2 TDs

82-yard TD run on Dec. 2, 2012Opponent: Green Bay PackersLocation: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc.Game Result: Packers 23, Vikings 14Details: Peterson’s career-long run came at a critical time for the Vikings. He scampered 82 yards with just over five minutes to play in the second quarter to give Minnesota a 14-10 lead which they took into halftime. The Vikings didn’t hang on as their division rivals outscored them 13-0 in the second half. Peterson set the Vikings record for career carries during the game.Final Stat Line: 21 carries, 210 yards, 10.0 average, 1 TD

82-yard TD run on Dec. 16, 2012Opponent: St. Louis RamsLocation: Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo.Game Result: Vikings 36, Rams 22Details: Peterson’s 82-yard touchdown run jumpstarted a 23-point scoring outbreak by the Vikings in the second quarter. His touchdown run at the 12:21 mark came 18 seconds after the Rams had tied the game and put Minnesota out in front to stay.Final Stat Line: 24 carries, 212 yards, 8.8 average, 1 TD

AHMAN GREEN, GREEN BAY PACKERS

83-yard TD run on Sept. 9, 2001Opponent: Detroit LionsLocation: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Game Result: Packers 28, Lions 6Details: Green’s 83-yard TD run came in the first quarter and was his second rushing touchdown of the game. His first score, a 31-yard TD run behind the right guard, came on the game’s opening drive and put the Pack up 7-0. The 80-plus-yard score came on the first play of Green Bay’s third possession and put the Packers up 21-0.Final Stat Line: 17 carries, 157 yards, 9.2 average, 2 TDs

98-yard TD run on Dec. 28, 2003Opponent: Denver BroncosLocation: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Game Result: Packers 31, Broncos 3Details: The matchup pitted two playoff teams in the season finale. Green’s 98-yard TD run on a 1st-and-10 play from the Green Bay 2-yard-line early in the fourth quarter sealed the victory and clinched the NFC North Division title. His game total of 218 yards rushing also gave him the NFC rushing crown as he finished the season with 1,883 yards. Final Stat Line: 20 carries, 218 yards, 10.9 average, 2 TDs

90-yard TD run on Oct. 24, 2004Opponent: Dallas CowboysLocation: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Game Result: Packers 41, Cowboys 20Details: Green’s 90-yard TD run closed out the third quarter scoring as he took a 1st-and-10 handoff around left end with 1:38 left in the period for Green Bay’s final tally of the day. Green also scored on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter that put the Packers in the lead, one which they didn’t relinquish.Final Stat Line: 15 carries, 163 yards, 10.9 avg., 2 TDs.

BARRY SANDERS, DETROIT LIONS

80-yard TD run 82-yard TD run on Oct. 12, 1997Opponent: Tampa Bay BuccaneersLocation: Houlihan’s Stadium in Tampa, Fla.Game Result: Lions 27, Buccaneers 9Details: Sanders delivered TD runs of 80-plus yards in the first and third quarter during the Lions’ Week 7 victory over the Buccaneers. His effort made him the first player in NFL history with two runs of at least 80 yards in the same game. He also chipped in with a 7-yard down reception for the final score of the day.Final Stat Line: 24 carries, 215 yards, 9.0 average, 2 TDs

80-yard TD run on Nov. 23, 1997Opponent: Indianapolis ColtsLocation: Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich.Game Result: Lions 32, Colts 10Details: Sanders’ 80-yard TD dagger came on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. It was Sanders’ fourth career 200-yard rushing game and second of the season. He would go on that year to become only third player to surpass the 2,000-yard rushing plateau.Final Stat Line: 24 carries, 216 yards, 9.0 average, 2 TDs

O.J. SIMPSON, BUFFALO BILLS

94-yard TD run on Oct. 29, 1972Opponent: Pittsburgh SteelersLocation: War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y.Game Result: Steelers 38, Bills 21Details: Simpson helped the Bills dig out from a 17-point hole at halftime when he ran 94 yards for Buffalo’s first score midway through the third quarter. Simpson gained 148 yards on just 9 carries in the second half but it wasn’t enough to lead the Bills back.Final Stat Line: 22 carries, 189 yards, 8.6 average, 1 TD

80-yard TD run on Sept. 16, 1973Opponent: New England PatriotsLocation: Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.Game Result: Bills 31, Patriots 13Details: Simpson set the NFL record for most yards rushing in a single game in this ’73 season opener. A big chunk of his record yardage came on an 80-yard TD run at the 12:49 mark of the first quarter that put the Bills ahead to stay. Simpson added a 22-yard TD run in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter.Final Stat Line: 29 carries, 250 yards, 8.6 average, 2 TDs

88-yard TD run on Sept. 28, 1975Opponent: Pittsburgh SteelersLocation: Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.Game Result: Bills 30, Steelers 21Details: Simpson’s thrilling 88-yard TD run in the third quarter added to the Bills big lead en route to an upset of the defending, and eventual repeat, Super Bowl champions. After a punt pinned the Bills deep in their own end, QB Joe Ferguson called an audible and fullback Jim Braxton cleared out linebacker Jack Ham with a great block, and Simpson ran through the opening to pay dirt.Final Stat Line: 28 carries, 227 yards, 8.1 average, 2 TDs

HUGH McELHENNY, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

89-yard TD run on Oct. 5, 1952Opponent: Dallas TexansLocation: The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TexasGame Result: 49ers 37, Texans 14Details: McElhenny, a rookie, scored two touchdowns during the game. The first came on a brilliant 89-yard breakout run in the first quarter and the second was a 33-yard catch-and-run of a Y.A Tittle pass on the second play of the fourth quarter.Final Stat Line: 7 carries, 170 yards, 24.3 average, 1 TD

82-yard TD run on Oct. 26, 1952Opponent: Dallas TexansLocation: Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, Calif.Game Result: 49ers 48, Texans 21Details: Three weeks after McElhenny torched the Texans at the Cotton Bowl, the rookie halfback did it again scoring a receiving touchdown in the opening quarter and then raced 82 yards from scrimmage to score his second TD in the final quarter. Final Stat Line: 5 carries, 93 yards, 18.6 average, 1 TD.

86-yard TD run on Nov. 18, 1956Opponent: Green Bay PackersLocation: City Stadium in Green Bay, Wisc.Game Result: San Francisco 49ers 17, Green Bay Packers 16Details: McElhenny charged through the Packers defense for the long third quarter score which put the 49ers ahead 14-9. The 86-yard run started as a slant off the right end and after McElhenny broke free of several Green Bay defenders he outran Val Joe Walker for the score.Final Stat Line: 18 carries, 140 yards, 7.8 average, 1 TD